This little story leads to a wonderful musical number. Emma sings "Wedding Bell Blues," with Coach Beiste and Sue (Jane Lynch) backing her up. Emma only gets about one song per season, and this is her best yet. It's relevant, fun, and a good vocal showcase. Also, seeing Beiste and Sue in bridesmaid dresses, and making it appear that Emma has adult female friends, is wonderful. Perhaps Sue really wouldn't back Emma up in this way, but Sue does offer moral support, so that's cool.
Other songs are done by the kids as they attempt to help Will stage his proposal. The "Moves Like Jagger/Jumping Jack Flash" mash up is OK, if a bit of fluff. It is more memorable for its choreography than melody. "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" is much sweeter, though admittedly sappy. However, it also gives some insight into other characters, including Santana's (Naya Rivera) deep love of Brittany (Heather Morris). And, of course, the one Will uses for the actual question, "We Found Love," is spectacular both aurally and visually, with a big synchronized swimming sequence. Excellent!
It must be noted that while Coach Beiste may move a little fast in her relationship, already getting married to a character just introduced a handful of episodes ago, it is instant attraction between the two of them. Not to mention, Beiste has been waiting a long time for her man, and this one seems worthy. Viewers will surely only hope for the best between the pair, and have reason to be optimistic about the union.
Will is not the only man to ask the big question in "Yes/No." Finn asks Rachel to marry him in a moment that seems pretty perfect. The girlfriend is shocked, and this episode does not reveal her answer. There are a number of things Rachel must consider. For one, she still has dreams of a Broadway career, and worries throughout Glee whether she can accomplish that while being with Finn. For another, they are still in school, and not even to college yet! Surely, that's too young! Her soulful "Without You" reveals that she has strong affection for him, but marriage is a huge step.
It doesn't help that Finn is going through something that really doesn't have anything to do with Rachel. Finn tells Will that he is considering enlisting in the army, to follow in the footsteps of his war hero dad. But Will clues Emma, Burt (Mike O'Malley), and of course, Finn's mom Carole (Romy Rosemont), into the decision, and the adults confront Finn for a frank discussion. Carole admits that Finn's dad wasn't a hero, and struggled with addiction after a bad experience in the service, eventually dying from the condition.
It's a shocker, but one a mother understandably keeps from her son while he's growing up. Finn is devastated.
Article comments
1 - Danica
This has been the best episode this season so far and it was written by Brad Falchuk, one of the original writers/creators/producers. I wish they would get rid of the new writers and just have Falchuk write the show all the time. The music propelled the story and the balance of characters was really good. Without You was stellar.
2 - Lorraine
I think that Yes/No worked so well because it centred around the lead characters of Finn/Rachel and Will with just hints of others. It's the relationships between these three, plus Kurt, that really make the show worth watching. And as above, Brad really knows how to write for these leads.